5-Star Wealth Management Teams

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Going the distance

Most investors aren’t dazzled by new instruments or swept away chasing the latest high-profile cryptocurrency. In fact, InvestmentNews’ 5-Star Wealth Management Teams 2026 analysis shows that tenure and independence are the decisive factors for clients. The cohort was selected after a structured qualitative and quantitative review of all submissions to evaluate measurable client impact and broader industry contributions.

Rather than thrill-seeking, even in 2026, clients want to know they’re dealing with a team that has been around the block and is unencumbered by complicated ownership structures that could get in the way of making objective calls for clients.

“Beyond that, the best teams are good listeners, very transparent with clients, and constantly learning so they can connect people to what matters,” says Brian Dunham, partner and wealth and asset management strategy lead at KPMG.

Structurally, standout teams are diversified and specialist-led yet operate as a single, coordinated unit. Rather than a generalist trying to be all things to all people, these leading teams bring together tax, planning, investment, and credit expertise into one integrated offering for high- and ultra-high-net-worth clients. This breadth of capability under one roof matters particularly because wealthy clients increasingly expect seamless, end-to-end support from liquidity events to intergenerational planning without having to manage a patchwork of disconnected advisors.

Dunham adds, “Clients with significant wealth have a lot of choice, and they respond to advisors who understand how they made their money, what they care about, and what their planning needs look like.”

EY’s Global Wealth Research states that satisfaction in North America looks especially strong. The region is setting the standard for the industry when it comes to satisfaction in the crucial area of investment performance (87 percent) but also in other key areas, such as access to products and services (90 percent).

At a structural level, Valley National Financial Advisors offers an unusually comprehensive suite of services under one roof. Rather than stopping at portfolios and projections, the team delivers financial planning, wealth management, and tax planning and preparation. This means investment strategy, tax strategy, and life planning are designed together, not in separate silos. It handles all tax and wealth management in-house, resulting in a coordinated, technically rigorous approach that can anticipate knock-on effects across a client’s entire financial picture. 

Its independence and longevity give it a rare degree of alignment with clients. “We’ve stayed true to our clients and employees with our independence and making sure we don’t have conflicts with other corporations or a white ivory tower somewhere telling us what to do or what to sell – and that really has been a differentiator for us,” says CEO Matthew Petrozelli. 

Behind offering a sophisticated and wide-ranging operating model, the team has to stay in line with different regulators and multiple tax authorities. Petrozelli says, “Internally, we’ve got a great team that really collaborates across departments. Many of our senior advisors are also certified financial planners and CPAs, so people know what’s going on across all the departments.”

“Although the valuation of the company is important, we’re not looking to sell it. Our ownership structure and independence are why we can make investments for the long term”
Matthew PetrozelliValley National Financial Advisors

Culturally, the team is intentional about serving the right clients in the right way. Over time, it has shifted away from one-off tax or investment jobs toward families that use the full suite of services and see the total value of what the team provides. That focus has created stronger relationships, more referrals, and better business development platforms and has moved the team decisively beyond the transactional model. “Our touch pattern and business model are really in sync because we don’t have many standalone engagements anymore,” adds Petrozelli. 

Today, some of its client families span three or four generations, and in moments like a death or business sale, it is one of the first phone calls. That level of embedded trust is hard to win and easy to lose, but Valley National has held it for decades.

The team also distinguishes itself in how it navigates volatile markets and new technologies. In turbulent periods, the investment team produces weekly commentary, white papers, and videos, webinars, and special communications so that clients have context instead of fear. Its message is grounded in 40 years of cycles, emphasizing that wealth is built by being smart in the long term. 

On technology and AI, the team combines a modern stack with clear ethical boundaries. It uses AI to write better correspondence with clients and to dramatically accelerate complex deep-dive research and tax law analysis but draws a hard line at letting algorithms make buy, sell, and hold decisions. Human judgment remains central. “Where we stop is we don’t use AI to make investment decisions,” says Petrozelli.

Ultimately, what makes this team special is its people. Some staff members have been with the firm for 35 years, while others have been there two years, but they are all working towards a common goal. Petrozelli says, “Our ability to work together and provide a phenomenal client experience across all our services is something that really differentiates us from our competition. For us, it’s about the team and supporting each other.”

In an era of robo-everything, this is a quietly differentiated proposition: a multidisciplinary, tech-enabled, but deeply human advisory team that stands shoulder to shoulder with families for generations.

Nothing shouts credibility more than a rigorous annual audit of a firm’s fiduciary practices. It’s estimated that only 1 percent of firms in the US hold the Centre for Fiduciary Excellence (CEFEX) status, and maintaining it demands strict adherence by Certified Financial Group, Inc. (CFG) in terms of standards around disclosure, ethics, and process. On top of that, its lead advisors are all Certified Financial Planners and Accredited Investment Fiduciaries.

“Anybody can call themselves a financial planner, and many people do, but our CEFEX designation is important. We have it in our disclosures, and we want people to be aware of that distinction,” says founder Joseph Bert, who was among some of the earliest CFP professionals by qualifying in 1980.

For clients, this translates into a high level of assurance that recommendations are driven by their needs, not by product sales or hidden incentives. The practice is focused on retirees and pre-retirees, clients for whom capital preservation and sustainable income are far more important than “shooting for the moon.” Its approach emphasizes diversification and quality, implemented through best-in-class ETFs and, where appropriate, mutual funds. It is not a stock-picker or trend-chaser, which means its discipline pays off in periods of stress: for example, when major indices fell in 2026, its retired and near-retired clients finished the quarter essentially flat. For people at a critical life stage, that ability to avoid meaningful losses is more valuable than headline-grabbing outperformance.

“I’ve been in this business now for 50 years and have seen a lot going back to Black Monday, but I’ve always prided myself in trying to look beyond the horizon and to see what’s coming”
Joseph BertCertified Financial Group, Inc.

Working alongside Bert is his son, an Air Force Academy graduate who has been with the firm for 18 years and now drives the practice day to day. They operate as a cohesive unit rather than a star-and-support model, so clients aren’t dependent on a single individual.

“My clients see my gray hair and wonder when I’m going to hang it up. But the good news is they recognize that there’s a backstop. And it’s not only me, but we also have 16 certified financial planners here,” says Bert. “The strength of our firm and the strength of my practice is our clients know that if you get hit by the proverbial bus, then there’s backup.”

While steeped in history, CFG takes a holistic, evolving view of what clients need. This goes beyond investment management to include financial planning, estate planning access, and even in-house tax return preparation. It invests heavily in education through workshops and clear communication, such as quarterly letters that contextualize market events and explain how the firm is positioning portfolios.

“People don’t understand what needs to be done to get to their end result, which is a solid retirement. That’s why we do a lot of workshops to bring clients in and educate them as to what we do and how we do it,” says Bert.

Rather than responding to fads, they use Bert’s crisis-tested experience to filter new opportunities that can blow up client wealth. He adds, “We’ve shied away from private credit and private equity, specifically for that reason. I’ve been around long enough to know that you don’t want to necessarily jump on the new shiny thing, and even when everybody’s doing it, it’s not always the best idea.”

The team is actively exploring how AI and emerging technology can enhance analysis, reporting, and client service while remaining highly conscious of data security and regulatory constraints. It adopts advanced tools through the established software it already uses, rather than experimenting with client data in uncontrolled environments.

Taken together – independent fiduciary validation, crisis-tested experience, a multigenerational collaborative team, a disciplined investment process, and genuinely comprehensive planning – CFG’s wealth management team stands out for durable reliability. It offers clients what is increasingly rare: a steady, deeply qualified partner committed to safeguarding and growing their wealth over the long term.

Instead of trying to call the next move in the market, Team Holmes – Signature Estate & Investment Advisors (SEIA) focuses on ensuring every decision fits within a long‑term plan. That discipline shows up in periods of volatility, where it helps clients stay grounded rather than chasing headlines or short‑term moves.

Jared Chase explains, “Clients come to Team Holmes for thoughtful, coordinated advice that helps them navigate complex financial decisions with confidence over time.”

Its experience is multilayered, spanning different generations of advisors, creating a balance between seasoned judgment and fresh perspective. Clients benefit from advice that feels steady and well considered rather than rushed. This mix is particularly valuable for high-net-worth clients with complex needs, where one-dimensional investment answers are no longer enough.

“Over the last 12 months, the level of uncertainty across markets, interest rates, and geopolitics has reinforced the importance of having a disciplined, long-term approach”
Jared ChaseTeam Holmes – Signature Estate & Investment Advisors (SEIA)

Independence is another quiet but powerful differentiator. While they operate within the broader SEIA platform, client decisions are made at the team level, close to the individual’s objectives and family realities.

“From a practical standpoint, that shows up in how we build portfolios, select partners, and structure planning strategies. We have the flexibility to adapt based on the client in front of us, rather than working within a rigid or one-size-fits-all model,” says Chase. At the same time, SEIA’s research, process, and operational backbone mean their bespoke advice is supported by institutional-grade infrastructure. Clients get the best of both worlds: personalized, team-level decision-making with the strength of a larger platform behind it.

The last 12 months of upheaval have highlighted these strengths. The team has used this period to lean into communication, spending more time explaining market moves, portfolio implications, and where opportunities may lie.

“We’ve spent more time walking clients through what’s happening in the market, how it impacts their portfolios, and where there may be opportunities,” says Chase. “Whether it’s evaluating fixed income in the context of changing yields, thinking through portfolio risk, or broader capital allocation decisions, we’ve taken a proactive approach to helping clients understand both the risks and the opportunities in the current environment.”

Technology and AI are woven in thoughtfully, used to prepare for meetings, organize information, and accelerate research so more time can be devoted to planning conversations. Crucially, tech supports their process; it doesn’t replace human judgment.

In the team’s own words, clients come to them for “thoughtful, coordinated advice that helps them navigate complex financial decisions with confidence over time”.

5-Star Wealth Management Teams

Certified Financial Group, Inc.

Team Holmes – Signature Estate & Investment Advisors (SEIA)

Gilbert & Cook

Hershey Team – Bryn Mawr Trust

ISTO Advisors

Palm Beach – HB Wealth

Valley National Financial Advisors

• Adalan Private Wealth
• Adams Wealth Advisors
• Affirm Wealth Advisors – Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC
• Allworth Norwood Team – Allworth Financial
• AMR Team – Wealth Enhancement
• Andrea Riley Arnesen – Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC
• Andy Schwartz Team – OnePoint BFG Wealth Partners
• Angeles Wealth Management
• Aquest Wealth Strategies
• Associated Investor Services
• Atlas Team – Wealth Enhancement
• Axelrod and Barbakoff Team  – OnePoint BFG Wealth Partners
• Boston Bay Advisors Team – Centinel Financial Group, LLC
• Burling Wealth Partners
• Caliber Wealth Management
• Canon Capital Wealth Management

• Carr-Neeley-Beard Team – Wealth Enhancement
• Carter Financial Management
• Chi-Cap Team – Chicago Capital, LLC
• Clarity Capital Partners – Summit Financial, LLC
• Columbia Associates Wealth Management Group
• Condor Capital Wealth Management
• Connecticut Wealth Management, LLC
• Cooney Team – OnePoint BFG Wealth Partners
• Cornerstone Private Wealth
• Coyle Financial Group – Steward Partners
• Credent Wealth Management Advisory Team – Credent Wealth Management
• Diversified
• Drucker Wealth
• EnRich Financial Partners Wealth Team – EnRich Financial Partners LLC
• EP Wealth – EP Wealth Advisors
• Fiduciary Financial Group

• Fortitude Family Office
• Foundation Wealth Advisors
• Fragasso Financial Advisors
• Frazier Financial Advisors
• Fulton Team – Wealth Enhancement
• Gateway Advisory – Summit Financial, LLC
• Gordon Asset Management – Summit Financial, LLC
• GRANTvest Financial Group
• Great Point Wealth Advisors
• Gurien Group – Merrill Lynch
• Heffron Wealth Management Group – Wells Fargo Advisors
• Heritage Financial Consultants
• Hirsh Team – Signature Estate & Investment Advisors (SEIA)
• Hoggatt Team – Wealth Enhancement
• Hutchison Team – Wealth Enhancement
• Kayne Anderson Rudnick
• King Financial Network
• Koenig Team – Wealth Enhancement
• Larry Bell – Summit Financial, LLC
• Legacy Financial Partners – Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC
• Merriweather Team
• MCF Advisors
• Novare Capital Management
• Olistico Wealth, LLC
• Pappas Financial
• Peak Asset Management
• Pennington Wealth Management – Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC
• Pension & Wealth Management Advisors (PWMA)
• Perigon East – Perigon Wealth Management
• Pickler Wealth Advisors
• Presilium Private Wealth
• Quantum Financial Planning Services, Inc.
• Riverpoint Wealth Management
• RZH Advisors
• Sandy Springs Team – Wealth Enhancement
• Schmidt Financial Management Team – Schmidt Financial Management, Inc.
• SEIA Team Johnson – Signature Estate & Investment Advisors (SEIA)
• SEIA Team West – Signature Estate & Investment Advisors (SEIA)
• Signature Wealth Partners – Raymond James Financial Services
• StraightLine Group, LLC
• StrongBox Wealth
• Summit Financial LLC
• Sweet Financial Partners – Carson Wealth
• The Davies Adams Group – Baird
• The Di Vito Consulting Group – RBC Wealth Management
• The Hamilton Group – Concurrent Investment Advisors
• The Legacy Team – Wealth Enhancement
• The Liles Group – Baird
• The Oakwood Team – Wealth Enhancement
• The Rock House Team – Wealth Enhancement
• The Scroggins Team – Wealth Enhancement
• Tidwell-Premock-Basilone Private Wealth Management – Concurrent Investment 
• Twelve Points Wealth Management
• Vantage Pointe Team – Wealth Enhancement
• Washington Wealth Team – Wealth Enhancement
• Weinerman Wealth Management
• Wood, Moran, Coulman – Grimes & Company

 

Methodology and award disclosure

InvestmentNews recognized leading wealth management firms in the United States that demonstrated exceptional success in client growth and retention over the preceding 12 months.

Eligibility

Eligible participants were US-based advisory teams consisting of three (3) or more advisors. Teams were required to operate within a registered wealth management or financial advisory firm.

Nomination process

• Advisory teams were invited to nominate their firms through a structured submission process.
   

• No independent third-party judging panel was utilized.
   

• The IN research and editorial teams independently reviewed and assessed all submissions.

Population disclosure

Total number of entries: 772

Total number of recipients: 97

Percentage of nominees receiving recognition: 12.65%

Providing nominee and recipient totals ensures transparency regarding selectivity and avoids overstating exclusivity.

Editorial review

The IN editorial team conducted a structured qualitative and quantitative review of all submissions to evaluate measurable client impact and broader industry contributions. Selection was based solely on the stated methodology below.

Evaluation criteria and scoring

Submissions were evaluated across multiple weighted categories. While exact scoring weights are proprietary, the evaluation included both qualitative and quantitative assessment of:
 

A. Client impact and contributions

• Demonstrated meaningful contributions to clients
   

• Evidence of enhanced client outcomes, service innovation, or engagement initiatives
   

• Examples of fiduciary-focused practices and client-centric strategies
   

B. Understanding of client needs

• Clear articulation of client demographics and planning complexities
   

• Customized service models
   

• Retention strategies and relationship management approach
   

C. Notable achievements (past 12 months)

• Strategic growth initiatives
   

• Expansion of services or capabilities
   

• Operational improvements or leadership within the profession
   

What the award measures

This award measures:

• Demonstrated client growth and retention over the prior 12 months
   

• Team-level operational success
   

• Evidence of meaningful client impact
   

• Contributions to advancements in the financial services industry
   

• Business scale indicators such as AUM and overall team results

The award reflects a combination of quantitative metrics and qualitative editorial assessment based on submitted information.
 

What the award does not measure

This award does not measure or represent:

• Investment performance history
   

• Portfolio returns relative to benchmarks
   

• Client testimonials or satisfaction surveys (unless explicitly included in submitted materials as contextual information)
   

• A ranking of all U.S. wealth management firms
   

• Future performance or guaranteed client outcomes
   

• An evaluation of regulatory standing beyond publicly available information
   

• Recognition is based solely on the information provided in submissions and the stated evaluation methodology

 

Fee and promotional disclosure

No fee was required for nomination or selection consideration.

Selection was independent of any advertising, sponsorship, or marketing relationships.

If optional marketing or promotional packages are offered:

• Recipients may choose to purchase marketing enhancements or promotional materials.
   

• The purchase of promotional services does not influence selection.